Michigan Fair Housing Laws: Exam Study Guide

Fair housing questions appear on both sections of the Michigan real estate exam. The national section tests the federal Fair Housing Act. The state section tests Michigan's additional protections under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

Federal Fair Housing Act — 7 Protected Classes

The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on: 1. Race 2. Color 3. National origin 4. Religion 5. Sex 6. Familial status 7. Disability

These must be memorized. Memory aid: RRCNFSD.

Michigan Fair Housing — Additional Protected Classes

Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act adds:

Marital status
Sexual orientation
Gender identity

Exam note: Michigan is one of the states where sexual orientation is explicitly protected under state law. An exam question asking whether refusing to rent to a same-sex couple violates Michigan law — the answer is yes, under the Elliott-Larsen Act.

Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act

Michigan's primary civil rights statute is the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (MCL 37.2101 et seq.). The exam may ask by name which law protects the additional classes. Know the name.

The Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) administers and enforces the Elliott-Larsen Act. Individuals file discrimination complaints with MDCR, not LARA.

Prohibited Conduct

Both federal and Michigan law prohibit: - Refusing to sell or rent based on a protected class - Misrepresenting availability of housing - Steering (directing buyers or renters toward or away from neighborhoods based on protected class) - Blockbusting (inducing panic selling based on neighborhood demographic changes) - Discriminatory advertising or statements - Refusing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities

Reasonable Accommodations

Landlords must make reasonable accommodations in rules and practices to allow persons with disabilities equal access to housing. Example: Waiving a no-pets policy for a service animal.

Landlords must also allow reasonable modifications to the property by the tenant, typically at the tenant's expense in private housing.

Michigan Source of Income

Some Michigan cities and municipalities have adopted source-of-income protections (prohibiting discrimination against renters who use housing vouchers). This is not statewide under Elliott-Larsen but may appear in questions about local ordinances.

Exemptions

Federal exemptions (Mrs. Murphy — owner-occupied buildings with 4 or fewer units) apply under federal law. Michigan may apply stricter standards. If a broker is involved, exemptions do not apply.

Common Exam Mistakes

Listing "marital status" as a federal protected class (it's Michigan only)
Not knowing the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act by name
Confusing enforcement agencies: MDCR enforces state fair housing, HUD enforces federal
Forgetting that familial status IS a federal protected class (not just Michigan)

Practice Michigan Fair Housing Questions

[CARealestate.com/states/michigan](https://carealestate.com/states/michigan) has fair housing practice questions covering both federal and Michigan protections. 5 free questions — no signup needed.

Michigan Fair Housing Laws: Exam Study Guide